Cost of Solar Panels in North Carolina (2026)

How much do solar panels cost in North Carolina?

With professional installation, a typical 8-kilowatt residential solar panel system in North Carolina costs $18,500. That price drops to $13,277 after the full federal solar investment tax credit (ITC). This doesn’t include the cost of a solar storage battery, which is sometimes as much as the panels.

The size of your solar panel system is another big factor in your overall solar costs. The average size of solar systems in North Carolina is 7 kW (kilowatts). Depending on your household energy usage, you might need a smaller or larger system.

Average solar panel costs by system size in North Carolina

Are solar panels worth it in North Carolina?

We analyzed dozens of reviews from solar customers in North Carolina. For many, like Larry in Goldsboro, going solar is worth it for the savings on electricity.

“The electric bill is minimal and just this month, we didn't have to pay anything for electrical,” Larry told us. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 14.98 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

Homeowners with solar panels typically save $20,000 to $90,000 over 25 years.

For others, solar is a long-term strategy. Eric in Charlotte basically traded a power bill for solar loan payments: “It's around $30 more than the price of my power bill, but I'm okay with that for the fact that in 10 years, Duke Power is gonna raise their percentages 10-fold compared to what I'm paying now.”

However, some felt misled about the savings they would receive or had difficulties resolving post-installation issues. For instance, Garrett in Waxhaw expected his monthly bill to stay between $15 and $30. But in reality, he says he’s saving “maybe only $20 a month.”

If your house is a good candidate to support an installation, it’s at least worth considering solar panels in North Carolina. We suggest using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house — just type in your address. Project Sunroof is a free solar savings estimator powered by Google Earth imagery.

» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and cons

Solar panel installation cost factors in North Carolina

The cost of solar panels isn't a one-size-fits-all figure. The final amount you pay hinges on the size of the solar system you install, the quality and efficiency of the panels you select and additional components of the setup.

The equipment — solar panels, inverters, mounting hardware and other electrical accessories — is typically the largest portion of your overall total costs (approximately 25% to 50%). Labor, which includes planning, preparing and connecting your system to the grid, accounts for 10% to 30%. Local permits and fees are a small part of your overall costs.

Solar panels

In general, monocrystalline panels are considered the best bang for your buck. Cheaper solar panels are typically polycrystalline. The difference comes down to efficiency and materials: Monocrystalline panels are made from pure, single silicon crystals; various silicon fragments melted together are used to make polycrystalline panels.

Additional solar equipment costs

Solar arrays also contain mounting equipment, wiring and other devices, such as inverters, batteries or a monitoring system.

• Solar batteries: A battery stores energy for later use. Expect to pay between $7,000 and $18,000, though some cost $30,000 or more.
• Solar inverter: Inverters convert the electricity generated by your solar panels from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverter costs usually range from $1,000 to $3,000.
• Monitoring system: A solar monitoring system tracks how much energy your system produces and if there are any problems. They typically cost $80 to $400.

Condition of your roof

Quality solar panels should last 25 to 30 years, and your roof needs to last just as long. ConsumerAffairs often hears from disgruntled solar customers who felt blindsided by expensive roof repairs needed after their solar panel installation was complete. This is an expensive and frustrating process. Avoid it if you can — get your roof inspected, fixed or replaced before you go solar.

Labor costs

Solar equipment costs are going down, but labor costs are higher than ever in some areas. Installing solar panels yourself might initially seem cheaper because you'll save on labor costs. However, it's crucial to consider several factors for safety before going the do-it-yourself route. If not installed correctly, solar panels pose safety risks, causing roof leaks and other problems.

How can I pay for solar panels in North Carolina?

You can pay cash, but most people finance solar panels with a solar loan. It works like any other type of loan — there’s an application and approval process, and you pay it back over time. You can also lease solar equipment, which requires little to no money down.

In North Carolina, Union Power Cooperative and Randolph EMC members can get low-interest loans up to $35,000 to pay for home improvements, including solar panels. Piedmont Electric has subsidized solar loans up to $15,000.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

How to save money on solar panels in North Carolina

There’s no way around it — solar panel installations are expensive. Here are some tips to maximize your savings on solar panels in North Carolina:

• Compare quotes: Getting quotes from at least three or four different solar companies lets you compare equipment, pricing, financing terms and estimated energy production to find the best overall value.
• Lower your electrical load: It’s smart to upgrade any old appliances before going solar. For example, replacing an old refrigerator with a more eco-friendly one reduces your electric load, which also helps lower your utility bill. If you use less electricity, you need fewer solar panels, making the whole system cheaper.

» MORE: Why are solar panels so expensive?

Solar incentives, tax credits and rebates in North Carolina

The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the best financial incentive for going solar in North Carolina. The ITC credits 30% of the system’s total cost — including equipment, labor and permits — toward what you owe on federal income taxes.

For example, if you spend $10,000 installing a solar panel system, the ITC is worth $3,000. If you owe $15,000 in taxes, the credit reduces your debt to $12,000. The ITC only offsets your tax liability; you can't take advantage of it if you don’t owe taxes in the first place.

Additional North Carolina solar incentives include the Duke Energy PowerPair program. Through PowerPair, you can also get up to $9,000 when you install a solar panel system and energy storage battery.

Compare solar installation companies in North Carolina

We compared ratings and reviews, equipment options, warranties, availability and other factors to pick the top solar companies in top solar companies in North Carolina.

FAQ

Bottom line

Installing solar panels leads to big long-term savings on electricity bills for North Carolina homeowners. On average, you’ll spend $8,298 to $23,125 for panels that last about 25 years. Over that same time period, you’d avoid approximately $29,610 in total utility costs.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team has conducted extensive research to compare the costs of going solar in North Carolina and other states.

Solar costs vs. savings: North Carolina and nearby states